Sima Sushi (Kingston) – Finally, a worthy competitor to Akira

I don’t know why there are so many Korean sushi places in Kingston. I don’t think there is a single Japanese sushi place. They are all Korean run! Usually, I can tell based upon the menu (the presence of Kimchi, dduk dyuk, and bulgogi is a giveaway) but sometimes, you need to rely on an insider who can tell what language it is that they are speaking.

The Ben and Jerry’s in Kingston was a really sad shop. Two blocks away, on the prime waterfront walkway, there were two nice local ice cream shops (White Mountain and…. the other one, can’t remember the name) that were always busy. Ben and Jerry’s was tucked away on Princess St. and was usually quite empty.

Replacing Ben and Jerry’s is a new place called Sima. It has the ugliest sign that I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the owners did not really repaint the exterior of the store so it remains yellow and red. Yuck. It was so ugly from the outside that I neglected to try it for the first few months.

This is the sashimi dinner for $15.99. You get the usual miso soup (very typical, salty, cloudy, seaweedy), the asian vinaigrette salad (I need to learn how to make this damn vinaigrette), and a plate of sashimi. The quality of the salmon was good. The red tuna was very tasty, as was the seared tuna. There was also a really neat squid roll (squid outside with avocado + roe inside). Overall, quite tasty! Look at all the fish!!!

I wouldn’t get the sushi dinner ($15.99) as the R:F ratio is pretty horrible (lots of rice, little fish). You basically get some nigiri and 1 roll. The rice tastes pretty good but the sashimi dinner is a much better value.

I am very pleased with this restaurant. It still has some things to work out (mostly aesthetic) but the fish quality is good and the price is right. Most importantly, it is a 5 minute walk from my house. Score!

Addendum October 14, 2009:

I’ve been to Sima about 4 times in the last few months. The quality of the fish is consistently good and the service is much better than Akira. My only concern is the absence of a liquor license but they are proudly displaying on their window that they are applying for LLBO.

This is the Chirashi Sushi for $15.99. My god. So much fish. There are 3 pieces of hamachi, 3 pieces of salmon, 3 pieces of red tuna, 2 pieces of butter fish, 2 pieces of tamago, 2 pieces of ebi, 2 pieces of  octopus, 2 pieces of fake crab, and…. CAVIAR. All of this was served on a bed of seasoned rice, soup, and a salad.

I continue to be impressed with Sima Sushi. It is quickly becoming my favourite restaurant in Kingston.

Addendum November 21, 2009:

I’ve probably been to Sima around 10 times now. This is what I ate after a long night of inebriation during Halloween.

This is the Lobster Tail roll for $14 (yikes) and the spicy tuna roll for $7. Good quality rice and seaweed. The lobster roll was a bit unremarkable, essentially battered and fried lobster wrapped in avocado and seaweed. The spicy tuna roll was pretty tasty but again was run of the mill. The quality of these two rolls was good but I much prefer their sashimi.

Addendum June 27, 2010 –

Sima is the best. Easily the best. Great sushi. Great people. Daniel and June are fantastic. Cassandra and April are great also. I can’t believe how often I come here.

The takoyaki (baked gluten balls filled with octopus). Pretty tasty but it really needs bonito flakes to make it complete.

The double torched roll. So well made. Tightly packed, tender fish, and a nice glaze on top.

The sashimi dinner deluxe for $19.95. You get so much fish! Butterfish, salmon, red tuna, another type of tuna, hamachi, and a deep-fried squid roll that has been battered and stuffed with vegetables.

I keep coming here. And it is getting really busy. People are starting to catch on to this gem.

Sima Sushi, 66 Princess Street, Kingston, ON, (613) 542-8040, no website.

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~ by Russ on September 1, 2009.